Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion used to be the buzzwords that opened doors, unlocked budgets,
and won applause at conferences. Now? They’re the elephants in the boardroom. In today’s
climate, DEI isn’t gone—but it has definitely changed clothes. For many organizations, the
challenge isn’t whether DEI is still important, but how to talk about it in a way that keeps funders
close, communities engaged, and the mission alive.
Let’s be honest: this moment is tricky. Some sponsors are skittish. Grants have been quietly
pulled or reworded. And for folks leading the charge on DEI, it feels like a silent audit is
underway—every word, every initiative, every program is being re-read with fresh eyes and, let’s
be real, a bit more side-eye. So what do you do when your values haven’t changed, but the
reception of them has?
You adapt without erasing. You soften the language without diluting the meaning. You make the
case for belonging as a business imperative, not just a moral one. It’s less "let's make the world
a better place" (though yes, still that too!) and more "let's build environments where people
thrive, innovate, and stay."
In some rooms, you say DEI. In others, you lead with "inclusive culture" or "team cohesion." It’s
code-switching, corporate edition. And while it may feel like a compromise, it’s really a strategy.
The message evolves to keep the mission moving.
We’re seeing a shift toward storytelling that highlights outcomes over ideals. How did a
mentorship program improve retention? How did supplier diversity boost the bottom line? These
are the kinds of narratives that cut through the noise and get the attention of funders trying to
make the case upstairs.
Yes, it’s frustrating. Yes, it’s exhausting. But it’s also an opportunity. A call to sharpen the way
we talk about our work. A push to make the invisible benefits of DEI more visible, more
measurable, and more fundable.
Because here’s the truth: DEI isn’t dead. It’s just evolving. And like any good leader, we have to
evolve with it—smartly, strategically, and without losing what made it matter in the first place.
So polish the message. Don’t lose the mission. The people paying attention? They’ll hear you
loud and clear.
by Iman D. Strong